Sidelines: Three Butte football players moving on

Three members of the undefeated state champion Butte College football team have signed midyear letters of intent and will be attending four-year universities starting in the spring.

Richard Murphy, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound tight end from Lassen High in Susanville, has accepted a full scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, which is a Division I independent that will join Conference USA in 2015. Murphy broke his arm against Santa Rosa and missed four weeks this season, but was named the offensive most valuable player in the state championship game victory over Fullerton.

Scott Batchelder, a 6-4, 285-pound offensive lineman from Orland High, committed to a full scholarship at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, a Division II school in Alva, Okla., that is a member of the Great American Conference. Batchelder started seven games for the Roadrunners at right tackle.

Brandon Smith, a 6-foot, 185-pound reserve wide receiver and special teams player for the Roadrunners, received a partial scholarship to Northwestern Oklahoma State.